Excelsior vs Jong AZ Alkmaar Prediction, Match Preview & Betting Tips, 27th September 2024
The upcoming Eerste Divisie clash between Excelsior and Jong AZ Alkmaar is shaping up to be an exciting showdown. Scheduled for September 27, at the Van Donge & De Roo Stadion in Rotterdam, this match lines up two teams with different goals and recent performances in the Dutch second tier.
Excelsior is having a great season, currently holding the 2nd spot in the standings. They are riding a wave of strong performances, highlighted by a recent unbeaten streak. Their home games, in particular, have been dominant. Richie Omorowa, the league’s leading scorer with 7 goals, has been crucial to their attack.
In contrast, Jong AZ Alkmaar ranks 8th and has been inconsistent. However, they are no pushovers, with Jayden Addai leading their attack with 5 goals so far. Historically, Excelsior has had the upper hand in past encounters, especially at home. Both teams drew 2-2 in their latest matches, setting the scene for what could be a high-scoring affair.
Excelsior vs Jong AZ Alkmaar Prediction & Betting Tip
This matchup looks like it might favor Excelsior, especially considering their strong home form and unbeaten run. Their dominance at home and effective attack suggest they are likely winners.
- Prediction: Excelsior to win, banking on their home advantage and strong attacking lineup.
- Suggested Bet: Excelsior -1.00 (AH), showing confidence in their potential to outperform the visitors.
| Recommended Bet | Bookmaker | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| Excelsior -1.00 (AH) | Various | 1.89 – 1.94 |
Factors backing this prediction are Excelsior’s solid defense and sharp attack. In contrast, Jong AZ Alkmaar has struggled with consistency. Excelsior’s goal-scoring, boosted by Richie Omorowa’s form, could be a game-changer.
Excelsior vs Jong AZ Alkmaar Odds
The odds favor Excelsior, with a home win priced at 1.42, highlighting their strong position. A draw is priced at 4.59, while a Jong AZ Alkmaar win is less likely at 5.88. The market anticipates a thrilling game with possible goals, indicated by Over 3.5 Goals odds at 2.01.
| Market | Odds |
|---|---|
| Home Win | 1.42 |
| Draw | 4.59 |
| Away Win | 5.88 |
| Over 3.5 Goals | 2.01 |
| Under 3.5 Goals | 1.71 |
These odds suggest Excelsior’s strong home form and an exciting game with multiple scoring opportunities.
Excelsior Team Analysis
Excelsior Recent Performance
Excelsior has been in commendable form, marked by a recent unbeaten streak including a 2-2 draw with FC Dordrecht. At home, they have been particularly commanding, securing wins against strong teams like NAC Breda and Helmond Sport.
- Richie Omorowa has been pivotal, leading the attack with his goal-scoring ability.
- Defensively, they have been solid, conceding only 5 goals in their last five matches while scoring 15.
- Excelsior kept clean sheets in 2 of these fixtures, showcasing defensive resilience.
Their recent form indicates tactical discipline and possession dominance, aided by strong team dynamics and strategic foresight.
| Recent Matches | Result | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|
| FC Dordrecht vs Excelsior | 2-2 | 2 | 2 |
| Excelsior vs NAC Breda | 3-1 | 3 | 1 |
| Excelsior vs Helmond Sport | 4-0 | 4 | 0 |
| Excelsior vs Jong Utrecht | 5-2 | 5 | 2 |
| FC Eindhoven vs Excelsior | 1-1 | 1 | 1 |
Excelsior Key Players
Richie Omorowa is crucial for Excelsior, supported by key figures like Seydou Fini, on loan from Genoa, who strengthened the midfield. Lennard Hartjes’ recent return from injury has boosted midfield options.
Despite injuries to key defense figures, emerging talents have stepped up, maintaining depth and stability. The club fosters young talents with an eye on Eredivisie competition.
Excelsior Suspensions & Injuries
Key absences such as Pirie, Dauvenstein, and Fernandes with long-term injuries have challenged Excelsior’s depth. Yet they have coped well, especially with Lennard Hartjes fortifying midfield stability.
| Player | Injury Detail | Return Date |
|---|---|---|
| Pirie | Long-term injury | Unknown |
| Dauvenstein | Long-term injury | Unknown |
| Fernandes | Long-term injury | Unknown |
Excelsior Tactics and Formation
Excelsior usually plays a 4-3-3 formation, focusing on attack, wing play, and pressing. This approach, orchestrated by manager Ruben den Uil, allows tactical flexibility and capitalizing on opponents’ weaknesses.
Jong AZ Alkmaar Team Analysis
Jong AZ Alkmaar Recent Performance
Jong AZ’s recent form has been varied, with a 2-2 draw against De Graafschap showcasing their potential. They’ve shown flashes of strong play, like a 3-1 win over MVV Maastricht, but inconsistencies continue, especially away.
- They logged a 1-0 win against FC Den Bosch, highlighting their defensive abilities.
- Recent losses, such as against Vitesse, underscore their inconsistent form.
| Recent Matches | Result | Goals Scored | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jong AZ Alkmaar vs De Graafschap | 2-2 | 2 | 2 |
| Jong AZ Alkmaar vs FC Den Bosch | 1-0 | 1 | 0 |
| Vitesse vs Jong AZ Alkmaar | 1-0 | 0 | 1 |
| Jong AZ Alkmaar vs MVV Maastricht | 3-1 | 3 | 1 |
| Jong AZ Alkmaar vs Almere City | 1-1 | 1 | 1 |
Jong AZ Alkmaar Key Players
Jayden Addai is the force up front for Jong AZ, backed by young talents rising from their academy. Their focus on youth development supports their squad, with tactical versatility driven by their diverse formations.
Jong AZ Alkmaar Suspensions & Injuries
Jong AZ reports no significant injuries affecting their main squad. They maintain depth through youth and frequent shorts, benefiting from their academy’s rising talents. This keeps them ready and fit for upcoming games.
| Player | Injury Detail | Return Date |
|---|---|---|
| No significant injuries affecting first-team regulars currently |
Jong AZ Alkmaar Tactics and Formation
Using mainly a 4-2-3-1 setup, they favor quick shifts from defense to attack, maintaining possession through central playmakers. Manager Maarten Martens aligns their tactics with the AZ ethos, promoting technical proficiency and team cohesion.
Excelsior vs Jong AZ Alkmaar Head-to-Head Statistics
Historically, Excelsior has often bested Jong AZ, winning three of their last five encounters. Their most recent match ended 3-3, reflecting both teams’ attacking styles and dynamic play.
| Date | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| Most Recent | Excelsior 3-3 Jong AZ Alkmaar | Eerste Divisie |
| Historic | Excelsior 2-1 Jong AZ Alkmaar | Eerste Divisie |
| Past | Jong AZ Alkmaar 0-0 Excelsior | Eerste Divisie |
| Historic | Excelsior 4-2 Jong AZ Alkmaar | Eerste Divisie |
| Past | Jong AZ Alkmaar 1-2 Excelsior | Eerste Divisie |
These meetings highlight the propensity for high-scoring games and shifting dominance, indicative of both teams’ attacking ambitions.
Venue and Weather
Set in the Van Donge & De Roo Stadion, the match benefits from a lively atmosphere that traditionally boosts the home side’s morale.
Forecasts predict moderate rain during the game, creating a slick surface that might affect control and pace. Teams are expected to adjust their tactics for these conditions, preparing for the faster play expected due to rain. With a temperature of about 15.84°C and wind speeds at 8.22 m/s, conditions favor a fast-paced but controlled match, ideally suiting teams good at passing.
Both Excelsior and Jong AZ need to adapt to potential rain to perform at their best, refining their game plans to handle the expected pitch changes.
